Durant had 12 tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage, but he wish he could have added fumble recovery to his stat line. AP Photo

ALLEN PARK -- In Sunday's season opener against the St. Louis Rams, linebacker Justin Durant was one of the defensive stars for the Detroit Lions.

Durant finished the game with 12 tackles, the second-highest total of his career. He called it his best game as a member of the Lions, but was disappointed he left a critical play on the field.

Early in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 13, defensive tackle Corey Williams came free and blindsided Rams quarterback Sam Bradford, knocking the ball free deep in St. Louis territory.

Quickly recognizing the fumble, Durant made a direct line the loose football and was the first to arrive to the scene, but he wasn't able to secure it.

"You rarely get that chance," Durant said. "You just get excited, and I guess I got a little too excited. The ball was kind of spinning sideways, so it was a weird little bounce, but it's a play I have to make."

Durant had a fumble recovery in the playoff game against the New Orleans Saints last season. The play is memorable because the officials inadvertently blew their whistles, taking away a potential touchdown return on the play. Possession was still awarded to the Lions, which was also an incorrect call.